http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuD0Xwbvs131KZCx8TC027i8vLYF?slug=aw-pitinokings050709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

here is the link of where Pitino from Louisville has shown interest in the Kings job and has also contacted the maloofs AND who was an influence in the hiring of our beloved REGGIE THEUS! I don't know what to think right now? Does this sound like a good option? I think doing this might end up in disaster since the Maloofs are having an influence on the picking of this nattin coach.

     After this atrocious season, I wanted to speculate on what could become of the Kings in the near future. As we all know we are in a current state of rebuilding our beloved franchise, into not only getting into the playoffs but also competing for a championship in the near future. As basketball and Kings fans we know a lot can happen during the offseason. I wanted to write about the possibility of the Kings possibly being in the playoffs withing the next two years or so. Not only am I going to analyze the Kings but will look at the chances of other teams being in the playoffs. My analysis will only focus on the Western Conference.

     Let's start off with the Lakers; I believe this team will at the minimum make the playoffs in the given time reference that I have suggested. This franchise doesn't miss the playoffs much. So im checking them into the playoffs. That leaves seven more spots up for grabs. The Spurs are my next case, this team has been the best if not one of the best sports teams in the last decade. They have a great coach, a future hall of famer, and they just flat out win when it counts the most. But let's be realistic, manu is old, duncan is old, I have my doubts about whether this team can stay competive past next year. The season is just to long and I think those long seasons have been showing on Duncan. They just don't have enough bengay to last them through not only next season but the season after that. I think this team will fall off of playoff contention within the next two years.  

     The Blazers are a young team that is filled with pretty talented guys. They are the sleepers in these playoffs and I believe this team will be around in the playoffs for several years to come. That leads to the next franchise with lots of young talent, the Thunder. Not only do they have a solid young core with a superstar waiting to errupt, they also have a very high pick in this year's lottery. They obviously have cap space if not they would not have gone after Tyson Chandler in that trade. I think we should definetly put a check by this team making it to the playoffs next two years. We now have five more spots in the playoff contention for the season in 2010-2011.

     I will now turn my attention to the Nuggets. No one expected the Nuggets to be  this good with Billups. They have solid players that have exceeded their expectations. I think this team will be able to make the playoffs within the next two years. The next subject at hand are the Hornets. Their owner has proven that he cares more about making money then he does about winning, with the wanting to trade away Chandler's salary. Despite this they have a star PG named Chris Paul who makes everyone around him much better. I think the Hornets despite their owner's willingness to win will be around in the playoffs two years from now.

     Although Mark Cuban has shown he wants to win, he has crossed the line on knowing what is best for the team with moves that he has made in the past couple of years. They have a ridiculous amount of payroll which limits what he can do in the free agency. Also with Dirk becoming a free agent who knows where this team will be in the next two years. That is because I am taking them off of the list. Next on the list is the Jazz. The long time owner just passed away and the change of ownership can have a dramatic effect on the franchise. This team has lots of bright spots even with Boozer planning to bolt out of there. I think this team will still be around to make the playoffs in two years. This leaves two open spots remaining in the playoff picture.

     The Rockets always end up having some type of injury that affects the teams chances of winning. Despite this, Rick Adelman is still able to get these guys playing well without their super start McGrady. I am skeptical on whether or not this team has it in them to make the playoffs for the next two years. I believe there are six spots that will be taken in the next two years by the following teams: Lakers, Blazers, Thunder, Nuggets, Hornets, and the Jazz. These teams are in no particular order but are just my thoughts on who will be playoff bound in the next two years. Which leaves the question on who will occupy these last two spots? I remain optimistic on that the Kings will make the playoffs two years from now. We have a high pick this year, young talent, cap room, possibly high pick next year as well, and the free agency to look forward to.